September 2025 has brought a whirlwind of excitement and drama to the CONCACAF region, as the men’s national teams battled through the first month of the final round of 2026 World Cup qualification and a handful of high-stakes friendlies. With the FIFA world rankings freshly updated on September 18, the landscape of North American, Central American, and Caribbean soccer is shifting beneath our feet. At least six CONCACAF teams are guaranteed to grace the World Cup stage in 2026, and with the possibility of two more joining, every match is cranking up the pressure and anticipation across the region.
Perhaps the most captivating storyline comes from Haiti, whose Grenadiers have become the toast of Caribbean football fans. After a turbulent window that included a tense 0-0 draw against Honduras—played at a neutral venue in Curacao due to ongoing gang violence in Haiti—and a heart-stopping 3-3 draw away at Costa Rica, Haiti has climbed three places in the latest FIFA rankings to 87th. Sandwiched between Bulgaria and Bahrain, the Grenadiers are inching closer to what could be only their second-ever World Cup appearance. As the faith in Port-au-Prince surges, the question on everyone’s lips: could this be Haiti’s Cinderella moment?
The Grenadiers’ rise is not just about numbers on a chart. The team’s defensive grit was on full display against Honduras, shutting down their opponents in a match where every tackle and clearance felt like a small victory. Against Costa Rica, things looked dire early on as Haiti fell behind by two goals within the first 35 minutes. But the introduction of Duckens Nazon in the second half changed the tide. Nazon, coming off the bench, delivered a stunning hat trick against Costa Rican legend Keylor Navas, sending the contest into chaos and forcing the home side to scramble for a late equalizer. The 3-3 result was enough to keep Haiti’s World Cup dream alive and electrify their supporters back home and abroad.
Haiti’s recent form isn’t just about veteran heroes. Newcomer Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, a midfielder for Wolves, has made an immediate impact, and rumors are swirling that the Grenadiers’ roster could soon be bolstered by the likes of Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor and Lens’ Odsonne Édouard. Even if those reinforcements don’t materialize, the current squad has shown that they have the resilience and skill to compete with the region’s best. With upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Nicaragua and Honduras in October, Haiti’s journey is far from over. The stakes? Higher than ever.
Elsewhere in the region, the power rankings have seen their own shake-ups. Mexico remains perched atop the CONCACAF hierarchy, even as their September friendlies—draws against Japan and Korea—revealed both strengths and areas for improvement. Under the watchful eye of Javier Aguirre, El Tri continues to look like the region’s most consolidated squad. Even when Edson Alvarez exited early against Japan, Mexico’s defensive discipline held firm. Aguirre’s willingness to experiment, starting Hirving Lozano alongside young fullbacks Mateo Chavez and Rodrigo Huescas, offered a glimpse into the tactical flexibility that could make Mexico a tough out next summer.
Canada, meanwhile, has surged into the number two spot after dominating European friendlies. The Canadians swept Romania 3-0 and edged Wales 1-0, all while missing defensive stalwarts Alphonso Davies, Alistair Johnston, and Moise Bombito. The emergence of Niko Sigur at right back and standout performances from Ali Ahmed have given coach Jesse Marsch some welcome selection headaches. As Marsch himself might say, these are the kinds of problems every coach dreams of. With friendlies against Australia and Colombia on the horizon, Canada’s preparations for 2026 look as promising as ever.
The United States, long a regional powerhouse, finds itself in third after a mixed bag of results in September. A loss to Korea and a win over Japan in friendlies have left fans and pundits alike debating the team’s trajectory. Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun have emerged as top-level talents, while Alejandro Zendejas is proving to be a useful addition to the roster. Yet, defensive frailties remain a concern. With additional friendlies against Ecuador and Australia looming, the USMNT will be hoping to iron out the kinks before the World Cup spotlight shines in their direction.
Panama and Honduras round out the top five in the regional rankings, each with their own tales of inconsistency. Panama’s September featured a gritty draw away at Suriname in a rain-soaked monsoon and a home draw against Guatemala that felt like a missed opportunity. Coach Thomas Christiansen didn’t mince words about his team’s need to meet higher expectations, especially at home. Honduras, for its part, remains an enigma. A 0-0 draw against Haiti (on neutral ground) and a dominant 2-0 win over Nicaragua showcased both their defensive solidity and their attacking potential. The challenge for Honduras? Finding the consistency needed to punch their ticket to the World Cup.
Jamaica, sitting at sixth, is riding high after a pair of convincing wins—one away at Bermuda and another at home against Trinidad & Tobago. Steve McClaren’s Reggae Boyz were the only team in the final round to collect six points from the September window, all while missing key players due to injury. The depth on display bodes well for Jamaica’s prospects, especially as stars like Andre Blake, Leon Bailey, and Ethan Pinnock work their way back to fitness.
Suriname’s entry into the power rankings at number seven is a story in itself. A home draw against Panama in treacherous conditions and a road victory over El Salvador have put Natio atop their group a third of the way through the final round. Justin Lonwijk’s standout performance and Sheraldo Becker’s return to the wing have injected new life into the squad. With Guatemala and Panama on the docket for October, Suriname’s momentum will be put to the test.
Costa Rica and Guatemala, ranked eighth and tenth respectively, have both struggled to live up to expectations. Costa Rica’s inability to hold leads against Nicaragua and Haiti has put pressure on coach Miguel Herrera, who has publicly taken responsibility for the team’s stumbles. Guatemala, after a promising Gold Cup, saw their hopes dashed with a home loss to El Salvador and a draw in Panama. The big question for both: can they rebound in October and keep their World Cup dreams alive?
As the dust settles on September’s action, the region is buzzing with anticipation. Spain’s leap to the top of the global FIFA rankings, dethroning Argentina, is making headlines worldwide. But in CONCACAF, it’s the stories of resilience, ambition, and emerging talent that are capturing imaginations. With every point earned and every setback endured, these teams are writing the next chapter of North American, Central American, and Caribbean football.
With October’s qualifiers and friendlies fast approaching, the only certainty is that the drama is far from over. Whether it’s Haiti’s fairy-tale run, Mexico’s quest for dominance, or the fierce battles for those final World Cup spots, the road to 2026 promises more twists and turns. Fans across the region—and the world—will be watching every step of the way.